Bhubaneswar: The Health and Family Welfare (H & FW) department of Odisha government has refuted allegations levelled by Lakshman Kumbhar, a heart patient from Bhela village of Nuapada district, who said that his photo was used by the government in hoardings, banners and newspapers ads as a beneficiary of Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) but was not given any financial assistance.

In a video which went viral on social media, Kumbhar claimed that he used his own money for treatment and visited SCB medical multiple times in the last 2 months but did not get any help from the State government.

He also said that he was hurt after his photo was used by the State government as a beneficiary of BSKY.

However, the H & FW department has said that Kumbhar was persuaded to mislead people on BSKY scheme. “Under BSKY he was given drugs, diagnostics, ECG, indoor bed, diet & other services free,” the department tweeted.

Such tutored videos are being posted to mislead people on BSKY. Laxman Kumbhar of PS Komna,Nuapada was admitted to DHH Nuapada from 9.10.18 to 10.10.18 with Regd No 11204 dated 09.10.2018. Under BSKY he was given drugs, diagnostics, ECG, indoor bed, diet & other services free.1/2 pic.twitter.com/5j5iVZ8RDk

“He was referred to SCB MCH for further treatment. The photograph of patient was taken with his consent as he was a recipient of all services provided cashless under BSKY at District Headquarters Hospital Nuapada,” H & PW department tweeted.

After the matter came to fore, Odisha BJP president, Basant Panda had slammed the State government and accused Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik of spreading lies.